In this Issue
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Dear Friends, Contributors, Families and Consumers,
For over 40 years, Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley has printed and mailed our agency newsletter,
Elder Forum, to a wide audience locally, statewide and nationally. We hope you were one of our readers and that you enjoyed receiving the newsletter and found it informative.
We know that a variety of "stakeholders" are interested in aging issues and resources. As our agency has evolved, we realized that one newsletter, published and mailed a few times a year, cannot adequately address the need for information of such a large and diverse group of readers.
We are happy to introduce IN FOCUS! We will be adapting our newsletter format to email, publishing on a monthly basis, and targeting a variety of audiences: elders and their family members, contributors who support the agency's work, as well as the professional aging network. Each newsletter will highlight people, programs, events, or resources to give readers a broad perspective about the aging process, and the elder service network that thrives in the Merrimack Valley. Articles will vary and cover a host of topics.
If you know someone who might enjoy receiving a copy, please send us their email address and they can begin receiving the newsletter for free. For those agency consumers who do not have email access, we will be publishing a small amount of newsletters for distribution, and are looking at new ways to reach those who lack computer access.
We consider the next three months as an initial trial period for this project and would love to hear your suggestions! Please feel free to email us at
Thank you!
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Aging & Disability Resource Consortium: No Wrong Door in the Merrimack Valley
Independence. Choice. Empowerment. Self-determination. Flexible support.
These words resonate for most of us, including adults with disabilities; especially as we age. Other words matter too: community, connection, a sense of purpose. While the systems we operate in may differ, Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley (ESMV) and the Northeast Independent Living Center (NILP) share considerable common ground with regard to the challenges facing those we serve and our approach to consumers, their families and caregivers.
Our common ground, and a mutual recognition of the power of partnership, brought our agencies together back in 2003to form one of the first Aging and Disability Resource Consortia (ADRC) established in the Commonwealth. That same foundation strengthens and sustains us today.
You've probably heard the phrase "No Wrong Door" whenever access to services is discussed. Well, that's what ADRCs strive to offer. Whether you're an older adult looking to remain in your home despite declining health or an adult with disabilities seeking support to become or remain independent, you will be able to find the information, assistance, and/or support you need, no matter which of us you call: 1-800-AGE-INFO or (978) 687-4288, or the statewide Call Center, MassOptions at 1-844-422-6277.
Every issue of In Focus will feature some ADRC content - aging and disability issues are an essential part of our mission, and our message! For more information, contact Maureen Drouin, MV ADRC Coordinator at mdrouin@esmv.org or (978) 946-1368.
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Memory Cafés bring comfort in the Merrimack Valley
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Do you, or someone you know, struggle with memory problems? People who struggle with memory problems may experience a "disconnect" with their sense of self, remembrance of the past, and/or their ability to function day-to-day. The experience can be puzzling and disorienting, and if the problems persist or worsen, may trigger embarrassment, frustration, fear, confusion, and/or helplessness. Faced with these issues and emotions, people with memory issues and their caregivers may feel misunderstood, become isolated and feel very alone.
By design, a Memory Café offers a welcoming, comfortable and supportive place for people with memory problems and their caregivers to connect with people who DO understand. Memory Cafés meet in a variety of settings: coffeehouses, libraries, museums, restaurants, community organizations, and their approaches are as varied as the participants and the communities they embrace. Some invite guest speakers; others local artists, musicians or other creative partners. Some offer education about changes in memory and cognition; others aim for relaxation and social connection. All strive to "help guests feel comfortable and to know that they are not alone" and focus on strengths, not limitations.
There are now Memory Cafés in Andover and in Lawrence. The Center at Punchard (formerly known as the Andover Council on Aging) recently received a small grant from the Department of Developmental Services to create an "inclusive" Memory Café model. The Center designed its Memory Making Cafés in Andover and Lawrence to welcome all individuals with memory problems and their caregivers, including individuals who also have a disability. To learn more, contact Joan Ruffels,
jruffels.mmc@gmail.com
or call (585)330-5337.
The Lawrence Senior Center is a partner in offering Making Memory Cafés in their community, including Aroma de Café, a Memory Café for Spanish-speakers: for more information, please call Angie Garcia or Martha Medina at (978)620-3540.
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Volunteer Spotlight: ReloTrans Lends a Hand
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"Many businesses shy away from offering a community based volunteer program as part of their employee benefits because of logistics and management, but the value far outweighs the risks. Keep it simple and find the right community partners and the team will do the rest. You will be rewarded both as a business owner/manager and human being."
~Frank Peditto
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Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc. operates a multi-site Elder Brown Bag Program
in partnership with the Greater Boston Food
Bank (GBFB) to help elders who struggle to get enough food each month. We distribute donated food to more than 3,000 elders each month at
sites in Lawrence, Haverhill and Tewksbury.
The Elder Brown Bag Program simply couldn't meet the growing demand for food assistance without the steadfast support of volunteers! Volunteers help out with a variety of tasks, but
as the Brown Bag Program has grown, we often
find it hard to arrange for food pick-up and delivery - a real barrier to expanding our program's reach.
Here's where
Frank Peditto's ReloTrans team from Newburyport has truly made a difference!
Every month, volunteers from ReloTrans arrive at the Silver Hill Horace Mann Charter School, our second Brown Bag site in Haverhill. They lend a hand with every aspect of the program: unloading the GBFB truck, sorting and bagging food items, loading other vehicles that pick up bags, and transporting bags to community sites in Greater Haverhill. ReloTrans volunteers are truly valued members of our team. Their ongoing commitment and participation make the Silver Hill site run smoothly and allow us to continue to add needy elders to the Brown Bag Program. They also experience the satisfaction of giving back to their community and connecting to a good cause in a direct and meaningful way. We are very grateful for their involvement in this important program!
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Can you lend a helping hand?
Volunteers are one of our most valuable resources and
Elder Services counts on the generosity of volunteers who want to lend a helping hand or share a special skill or talent.
We look for special folks who like to take action that helps keep older adults connected to their home, their family and their community.
Get involved and let us provide a positive experience for you to do something special for an older person in your neighborhood.
For a list of volunteer opportunities, visit our website at
www.esmv.org
or call Sheila Hewitt in our Volunteer Department at 978-946-1272.
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Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley's
20th Anniversary Golf Classic
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(l) First Place Winners: Billerica Paramedics Team
Joe Devlin, Chris Voutselas, Brian Lutrell, Tim Abbott
(r) Combat veterans sponsored by Commonwealth Nursing and Circle Home:
Randy Carter, Anthony Pandolph, Keith Lassond, Jim Aylward
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The Haverhill Country Club hosted 133 golfers at our 20th Anniversary Golf Classic on June 7th, which raised nearly $65,000 for elders.
Proceeds from the event benefit our Elder Care Fund, a financial resource for agency consumers who seek emergency assistance with basic necessities (food, prescriptions, fuel) or services like respite care for a 24/7 caregiver of a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease.
This outing has become a tradition
f
or many of our guests - a day to relax, play golf, and network for a great cause.
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Award and Grants Received
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Sandy Markwood, CEO, n4a with Rosanne DiStefano
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Excellence in Leadership Award
Rosanne DiStefano, Executive Director of Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley was presented the Excellence in Leadership Award from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging during the n4a Annual Conference in San Diego, CA. Rosanne was one of three individuals recognized nationally for their work in the field of aging. Rosanne was recognized for her leadership abilities and her capacity to serve as a catalyst for new ideas and quality programming that would meet the diverse needs of older consumers. The Healthy Living Center of Excellence was also recognized and presented with an Aging Innovations Award, the highest honor presented by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) to member agencies. The award was presented to The Center for their "The Evidence is in ...Healthy Living Programs Catch the Eye of Managed Care" program which was one of 16 local aging programs to receive recognition nationally.
Grants Received (June - August)
- ESMV's Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) received a $10,000 grant from Eastern Bank to update tools and resources for caregivers and grandparents, including an enhanced, interactive website.
- EOEA tapped the Healthy Living Center of Excellence (HLCE) to conduct training and disseminate the Savvy Caregiver Program statewide.
- HLCE was awarded a $40,000 grant from the Greater Lowell Health Alliance to implement a FallsTalk program for fall-risk seniors in Greater Lowell.
- HLCE was included in a 3 year grant by the John A. Hartford Foundation and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A). The $75,000 annually will support continuation of HLCE's national training & technical assistance and healthcare linkages; N4A will use HLCE as a consultant to AAAs nationally.
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Upcoming Events
Elder Network Meetings
The Elder Network Meetings are open to
professionals who work with, care for or provide programs or services for older adults. Meetings are held weekly and begin at 11:45 am. Notices are e-mailed. To be placed on the e-list or to host a meeting, please call Linda Dempski at 978-946-1429 or e-mail
development@esmv.org.
Annual Meeting - Friday, December 2, 2016
Diburro's Function Facility
Details to follow.
Winter Gala - Thursday, March 9, 2017
Lanam Club
Snow Date: 3/16/17
Golf Classic - June 6, 2017
Haverhill Country Club
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